Manchester United face a pivotal Premier League clash as they travel to Chelsea in Saturday's early kick-off, with head coach Michael Carrick still in his post despite last weekend's 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth. Victory at Stamford Bridge this lunchtime could transform the outlook for the under-pressure manager.
Chelsea, managed by Xabi Alonso, are reeling from a Carabao Cup exit at Liverpool and were beaten at home by Tottenham days before that, but they still present a stern test for United. The result could have significant ramifications for both camps.
Pundits Favour Chelsea
Former Premier League striker Peter Crouch backed Chelsea to win 2-1, saying on That Peter Crouch Podcast: "It was a strange one with Chelsea, mad one. I didn't see that coming. It will be interesting." He added: "At the time of recording, Carrick is still in charge, but if he is still in charge, it is a difficult one to navigate. Especially having fallen out with Bruno [Fernandes]. Joao Pedro is injured, [Emi] Martinez is injured and the goalkeeper [Mike Penders] had a howler against Spurs. I don't like it. You'd expect Chelsea to win. I'm going Chelsea 2-1."
Former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell agreed with his podcast co-host, commenting: "Big game for Chelsea. I've done a couple of draws, and they've come in, but I do see this being a draw. But I'm going to go Chelsea 1-0."
Predictions and Pressure
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Mark Goldbridge forecast this will be Carrick's final match at the helm, saying: "I've seen quite a lot of people [back the] draw, maybe that's not a bad shout, but I'm gonna go with a Chelsea win." He explained: "I watched Chelsea play against Spurs at Stamford Bridge and Spurs deserved to win. I don't think [United] are capable of playing like Spurs do. Spurs played like that against us at Old Trafford, they played us off the park in the first half. So I don't think we can do what Spurs do and dominate possession. I watched [Chelsea] against Liverpool, it was a much more equal game, but I don't think we can defend like Liverpool did and Chelsea still created chances. I think Chelsea's system causes us problems...and when Alonso's system works, when you're quite a rigid team, it becomes problematic." Goldbridge went so far as to predict a 6-0 win for the hosts.
Chelsea icon Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink told the Straits Times: "We had a very, very good match against Everton, 2-0 away, magnificent, and the performance was great. Yes, the game after that (2-0 loss at home to Tottenham) was a little bit disappointing, but they've got an opportunity to put that right against Man United, and I think they will."
More Backing for the Blues
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol threw his weight behind Chelsea, predicting a 2-1 victory for the Blues on ESPN FC. Discussing United's struggles, he said: "Give me one thing that will make a difference. And there is only one thing... responsibility. If the penny dropped and the players could look in the mirror and go, 'I'm partly responsible for this. I'm gonna do my bit.' If they all do that, then you might get something. But then the question is, do we really think enough of them are gonna think they're responsible for this? Because right now it looks like they're blaming anybody and everybody except themselves."
Blues icon John Mikel Obi shared his prediction on his YouTube channel, stating: "I'm gonna go for my club, my team, Chelsea, to beat struggling Manchester United."
